KaWaL Diagnostics' "Basic Skills of a Member of Society: Objective Diagnosis" for Effective Training of Younger Employees - We used it in our company [1-on-1 with Younger Employees and Supervisors] -.
What issues does your company face in training young employees and evaluating their abilities? We often hear comments such as, "The current checklist is too abstract and difficult to use," "How can we conduct an effective 1-on-1? How can we conduct effective 1-on-1s?" "Young employees are not convinced by personnel evaluations," and so on. In this session, we will introduce the "KaWaL Diagnosis," an objective diagnostic tool to understand the "basic skills of a member of society" from the perspective of both the young employee and his/her supervisor, to those in charge of training and human resources who have such concerns. The results of the 1-on-1 session will also be presented.
What are basic skills for working adults?
First, we will explain the meaning and definition of the term basic skills for working adults. We will also touch on the reasons why basic skills for working adults have been emphasized in recent years. Let's start with the basics.
Basic skills for working adults is a concept proposed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The concept of basic skills for working adults was proposed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in 2006. It consists of three abilities, "the ability to step forward," "the ability to think critically," and "the ability to work in a team," as well as twelve other competencies.
Basic Skills for Working Adults: "Basic Skills for Working Adults in the Age of 100 Years of Life
In 2006, the concept of "basic skills for working adults" was announced in the context of the "100-year life period" and the "Fourth Industrial Revolution.
In light of this situation, the "basic skills for working adults in the age of 100 years of life" were newly defined as the skills required for individuals to remain active at each stage of their lives in their ever-lengthening relationships with companies, organizations, and society.
It is positioned as necessary to achieve a balance between purpose, learning, and integration while recognizing oneself and reflecting on the three abilities/elements of the basic skills for working adults in order to carve out one's own career.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry / Basic Skills for Working People
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About KaWaL Diagnostics
KaWaL Diagnosis is an objective assessment of basic skills for working adults provided by Change Corporation, which is engaged in human resource development and other businesses. Here is an overview of the KaWaL Diagnosis.
What is KaWaL Diagnosis?
The KaWaL diagnostic tool diagnoses the three basic skills of a working adult / 12 ability elements from the perspective of both the individual and his/her supervisor (person in charge of training). It is a questionnaire-type assessment tool that enables visualization of young people's abilities by putting them into comparative graphs and charts.
The assessment tool uses "specific standards of behavior (performance standards)" as a scale, so it minimizes blurring caused by subjectivity and realizes objective diagnosis.
Reference] KaWaL Diagnosis
KaWaL Diagnosis is recommended for training young people
By conducting the KaWaL Assessment multiple times (after receiving a job offer, after joining the company, at the end of the first year, etc.), you can analyze strengths and weaknesses, growth issues, gaps in perception between the supervisor and the employee, etc., and use the results for "future personal development and career formation" of the employee.
In addition, the evaluation of the employee and his/her supervisor (person in charge of training) can be compared with the industry average, enabling an objective understanding of the employee's position in the industry.
By conducting multiple assessments and enabling objective self-analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of the individual can be clarified, and abilities that need to be developed can be identified.
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Basic Skills for Working Adults - Objective Assessment
Let's take a look at the content of KaWaL Diagnostics' "Basic Skills for Working Adults Objective Assessment. It is a questionnaire-type test that can be answered quickly and easily, and the results can be checked on the same day.
Basic Skills for Working Adults Objective Assessment Contents (Self-Assessment and Supervisor Assessment)
The Basic Skills for Adult Workers Objective Assessment contains 36 questions on the three abilities and 12 ability components of basic skills for adult workers (common to both self-assessment and supervisor assessment). By having the supervisor evaluate the employee using the same items as the employee himself/herself, gaps in perception of abilities can be visualized and appropriate training can be provided.
In the "self-diagnosis," the user selects the option that most closely resembles his or her daily activities and proceeds to answer the questions. In the "Supervisor Assessment" section, the user selects the option that best describes the current work style of the person being assessed and proceeds to answer the question.
Once all 36 questions have been answered, click the "Diagnose" button to complete the process.
An example of a question is shown below.
The learningBOX members, Hirota, a young marketing department member, and Yoda, a marketing department manager, actually conducted the diagnosis!
Inori Hirota, Marketing Department (Young employee)
I thought it would be quite difficult since there were 36 questions, but since I could answer them intuitively, I was able to complete it without feeling that much difficulty!
Saori Yoda, Manager, Marketing Section (Supervisor)
I think I was able to organize my mind as I went through the process of answering the questions about my impression of the actual diagnosis, looking back at Mr. Hirota's usual work style and so on!
Results of the objective assessment of basic skills for working adults
The results of the Basic Skills for Adult Workers Objective Assessment are easy to read with an intuitive UI, and the score sheet can be checked immediately after the individual is diagnosed. Scores are given for each of the three basic skills and 12 ability components of basic skills for working adults, and comparisons to supervisor assessments and industry averages are also shown in tables and graphs, making it easy to understand the results in an intuitive manner.
The intuitive UI and easy-to-read score chart help you understand the results and take action.
The purpose of this diagnostic is to find out at what stage of growth the diagnosed person's basic skills for working adults (skills necessary for working as a member of society) are at. The results of the assessment will help the diagnosed person to know what he/she should work on in order to grow in the future.
The results of the diagnosis were reviewed by learningBOX members, Hirota, a young marketing department member, and Yoda, a marketing department manager!
Inori Hirota, Marketing Department (Young employee)
About my impressions of the diagnostic resultsThe tables and graphs are very easy to read, and it is fun to check them! I was able to pick up new discoveries about my strengths and weaknesses, which I had never thought of.
Saori Yoda, Manager, Marketing Section (Supervisor)
I thought it was especially good that the results of both the individual's diagnosis and the supervisor's diagnosis are clearly shown on the chart. I can immediately see where there are discrepancies.
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Basic Skills for Working Professionals Use Objective Diagnosis for 1-on-1
The Basic Skills for Adult Workers Objective Assessment is conducted from the perspective of both the employee and his/her supervisor (person in charge of training), which allows us to quickly identify gaps in perception between the supervisor and the employee and clarify abilities that need to be developed. The results of the assessment can be used to implement effective 1-on-1s.
The following is a report of a 1-on-1 between Mr. Hirota, a young employee of the Marketing Section, and Mr. Yoda, a manager of the Marketing Section.
Let's align our perceptions of action standards that are misaligned.
In the performance report, if there is a gap between the supervisor's and the employee's perceptions, an item titled "Competence Factors with Gaps with Supervisor" will be displayed. This allows you to see at a glance the gap between the supervisor's and the employee's perception of his/her usual behavior, and to consider the next action for his/her growth.
Let's encourage young employees to develop their abilities by eliminating the gap through a 1-on-1 meeting between the supervisor and the employee.
From actual diagnostic results
Actual 1-on-1
Hirota (younger staff) works at the head office in Hyogo Prefecture, while Yoda (supervisor) works in Tokyo, so the 1-on-1 was conducted online
Yoda (supervisor): You mentioned that there was a gap in "planning ability. I think we understand that it is important to set goals in order to move things forward. From there, let's start by communicating with the people involved to have a common understanding of the goal we are aiming for!
Hirota (Younger staff):Yes, that's right. There have been times when there has been a gap in perception with the goal I have in mind, so I would like to start with that in mind!
Yoda (boss):Once you have a common understanding, let's break down the work and clarify what needs to be done to achieve the goal. If you have any problems or don't understand something, please call on me for support at any time!
Let's identify our strengths and weaknesses and the actions we need to take.
The performance report displays three items each of "Strengths" and "Weaknesses" of the person to be diagnosed, which are extracted based on the results of the supervisor and self-diagnosis. The chart also allows comparison with the "group average" within the same department, so you can objectively grasp where you stand.
Supervisors will be able to provide feedback on the subject's daily behavior, rather than a vague image.
From the actual diagnostic results: Strengths items
From the actual diagnosis: Weaknesses
Actual 1-on-1
Yoda (supervisor): Let me start with your "strengths." In terms of "flexibility," you do not stick to your old ways, but flexibly change your ways depending on the situation. I think it is also wonderful that you try to understand the background of the other party's position and arguments as much as possible and find a compromise between the two parties, especially when there is a conflict of opinions!
Hirota (Younger staff):Thank you very much. I try to think from the other party's point of view as much as possible and try to make the work go well.
Yoda (supervisor):That is a very good attitude! In order to grow further, once you accept the differences in other people's ways of thinking and values, why don't you try to incorporate and utilize what you don't have in that new way of thinking?
Hirota (Younger staff):I will put it into practice! Regarding the "weakness" of creativity, I feel that I am lacking in this area. I enjoy researching various things that interest me, but...
Yoda (supervisor): Yes, the scope of our work is very broad, and of course there are some subjects that don't interest me very much. We cover a variety of subjects in our study sessions, but why don't you keep up to date with the latest trends and technologies, and share your own perspectives with those around you?
Hirota:Yes! I will always be conscious of broadening my perspective and ideas, and I will do my best!
Visualize your growth by comparing with past diagnoses!
By performing multiple diagnoses, you can compare the results of each of the supervisor and self-assessments with the results of past diagnoses, visualizing growth in each of the three competencies/elements of the 12 competencies, and clarifying the results and challenges of training.
Continuous assessment is necessary to implement the PDCA cycle of the training plan. It is possible to regularly check whether the abilities that need to be developed are really being acquired, and link this to the next action.
From actual assessment results: Comparison with past assessments
*Actual 1-on-1
Yoda (Supervisor): "Problem-finding ability" seems to have dropped slightly, but looking back from the previous diagnosis, how has it been?
Hirota (Younger employee) : I feel that we have been so busy with our daily work that we have not been able to have a viewpoint of "what can be improved" and "how to improve next time.
Yoda (supervisor): It was a hectic time. It takes a lot of effort to identify the cause of an issue and try to solve it, even if there is an issue. As you said earlier, when you are faced with an issue, try to put it into practice by thinking about what the root cause of the issue is in your own way, with the viewpoint of "Is there anything I can improve?" and "How can I improve next time?
Inori Hirota, Marketing Section (Young employee)
It was refreshing to learn about my current basic skills as a working adult "objectively" since the results were not only my own, but also my boss's. Also, by actually doing the 1-on-1 while looking at the results, I was able to visualize what I should do next! It was also good that I was able to visualize what I should do next by actually doing the 1-on-1 while looking at the results!
Saori Yoda, Manager, Marketing Section (Supervisor)
Unlike conventional diagnostics, objective indicators were presented, and I think this allowed us to talk more concretely in 1-on-1s while reflecting on our daily actions. I felt that this is a tool that can be useful for young people's self-development and career development, and I would definitely like to make use of it in the future!
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Incorporate Objective Indicators in Human Resource Development
We hope you enjoyed this report on KaWaL Diagnosis, an objective diagnostic tool for understanding basic skills of working adults, including feedback from LearningBOX members.
Objective data is indispensable to accumulate know-how when human resource development is successful or unsuccessful. By accumulating objective and quantitative data on human resources, we can sublimate the activities of training young people into company assets (training know-how).
If you want to strengthen the training of young employees in your company or organization, please use "learningBOX ON," which provides several training contents that are essential for your company. The "KaWaL Diagnosis" is also included, and a free trial course (the free version allows you to try out some of the KaWaL Diagnosis features) is also available. For information on how to register, please see this article.
If you have not yet registered for "learningBOX," we also offer a free plan that allows up to 10 users to use almost all functions (excluding paid options) for free and indefinitely.
For more information on KaWaL diagnostics, please visit this page.
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